"A LoveReading Star Book, it’s unique, quirky, and absolutely gorgeous! "
If books were friends (and more than a few are) then I feel as though I have met the most wonderfully quirky forever friend. Gravity is the Thing is a complete joy of a book, and one that refuses to be pigeonholed into a genre. Abi, a Sydney cafe owner, has been invited to attend a retreat to learn the truth about ‘The Guidebook’, chapters have been arriving since she was a teen, and have kept her company in the darkest of times. The book floats between 1990 and 2010, and as Abi opens up her life, she revisits, examines, and searches for answers. Jaclyn Moriarty writes with the most beautiful eloquence, sharp pointed observations sit alongside the tightest of warm hugs. I wanted to meander, to wander, to eke out my reading time, and yet hoover up the words and the feelings they created in one heady go. I contemplated loss and grief, I smiled, laughed, and believed… oh how I believed! Gravity is the Thing is different (in the best possible way), and I predict that this will be one of my favourite books of the year. So, as well as being one of our Books of the Month, it has also been chosen as a LoveReading Star Book. It really is that gorgeous!
Explore our '80+ Books That Deliver a Hug' listicle for more feel-good or uplifting books.
| Primary Genre | Romance / Relationship Stories |
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A unique, special and thought-provoking read.
From the front cover to the last page, this book is truly unique. Unlike so many plots it doesn't seem to follow the normal path and with each turn of the page, you wonder where Moriarty will take you. There is no obvious or predictable storyline here.
It is a real mixture of humour and funny anecdotes intermixed with a serious insight into how to deal with loss or bringing up a child alone.
I loved Abi's asides and her witty observations about everyone she meets. What is clever about the book is how Moriarty manages to run two or three stories in parallel so successfully - her childhood, her relationships and the day to day life with her son and the bizarre following of the 'guidebook' and its consequences.... Read Full Review
A quirky and enjoyable read!
This story follows Abi through her late childhood to adulthood. When she was a teenager, her brother Robert disappeared; she was very close to him so she struggled to come to terms with his disappearance. Soon after this happens, she starts to mysteriously receive pages in the post from ‘The Guidebook’ which gives her self-help guidance and tasks. This goes on for a number of years, until one day she receives an invitation to a retreat to find out the truth about the Guidebook.
The character of Abi is very likeable; she tries her best for her son while trying to find out the truth about herself, her family and the world around her. Although, I enjoyed this book it is definitely quirky. At some points it feels like it’s not going anywhere, but then suddenly the story progresses.... Read Full Review
A book that will stay with me for some time. Beautifully written, funny in parts and most certainly moving. A story of discovery. It's most certainly thought-provoking, magical, different to anything else. It was a privilege to read.
A debut novel for adult readers. This is a multi-dimensional story about cafe owner Abi and her search for happiness. On her 16th birthday, Abi's brother Robert went missing and on the same day, she received a self-help book promising to change her life. Now years later, Abi is on a quest to learn more about the mysterious book she's been using to guide her.
Not a quick read by any means, its a story about loss, love, grief, friendship and discovery. A story that perhaps beneath it all is there to try and help not only the character but the reader.
Beautifully written, funny in parts and most certainly moving. At times the book is quite slow-paced and there could be parts that could be skimmed, whereby others I was craving to uncover more.... Read Full Review
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